Meet Your COPD Foundation Captains!

COPD Foundation Captains are volunteers with COPD, caregivers, friends and family members or healthcare providers who use their contacts and talents and partner with the COPD Foundation to serve as state and community leaders.

Captains promote the importance of becoming a part of the COPD community. They work to spread COPD awareness in their state and local areas, mentor fellow COPD community members, and participate in online and in-person grassroots advocacy and community building activities focused on health policy issues that are important to those who have COPD. If you are interested in joining our group of volunteers, click here.

If you'd like to speak with a COPD Foundation Captain directly, please email statecaptains@copdfoundation.org and we will connect you with the Captain in your area of interest.


Shelby Medley

Shelby Medley Profile Photo Debary, FL


As a respiratory therapist and State Captain for Florida, I hope to accomplish promoting more awareness and education surrounding COPD.

As a COPD advocate, I have called, emailed, sent letters and have met my local state legislators and have spoken with them about COPD. I have also spoken to my friends and family about COPD, have signed up for COPD360 Social, and have participated in health fairs or community events to promote COPD Awareness.

As a State Captain I am most interested in participating and promoting research opportunities to find a cure, work with state, local, and national officials to improve COPD policy, and to raise awareness through participating in health fairs and community events. I would also like to Connect others in the COPD community to the resources available so they can live healthier, fuller lives, and to recruit new State Captains and volunteers.

My proudest COPD moment has been lobbying in Washington DC for legislation that supports the COPD patient population.

My inspiration to share is, “Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live”

 



COPD Foundation State Captain Program Informational Video

The COPD Foundation is looking for new State Captains to join our community to be champions for promoting COPD awareness, improving quality of life for those with COPD, to participate in research opportunities, policy, and much more. Email statecaptains@copdfoundation.org for questions and to start the onboarding process today!